Job Title: Animal Health Technician

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS This is an open continuous announcement and will be used to fill anticipated vacancies at various locations as openings occur. Please do  not contact your local USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services Area Office.  Questions regarding these positions should be directed to Human Resources at the contact number provided within this announcement. Please note that this announcement is for current and anticipated vacancies located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.  Applicants will be considered for current vacancies in their preferred location(s) only.  Preferred locations must be selected during the application submission process. To receive early consideration for current vacancies, applications must be received before an established cut-off date.   Application cut-off dates are Monday, October 26, 2009; Monday, December 28, 2009; AND Monday, March 1, 2010. APHIS is an emergency response agency.  This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.  For details click: APHIS Emergency Response

You can make a difference!  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States.  MRP offers an array of occupations and is committed to diversity in the workplace.  We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people.  Join our team! KEY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizenship Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with the Selective Service DD214 (Member 4 copy)/veterans' documents for veterans' preference Valid state driver's license required at time of hire Relocation expenses may be paid

many vacancies - Throughout the Nation

The duties described are for the full-performance level.  At
developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited
scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

This announcement is for current and anticipated Animal Health
Technician vacancies located throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  
Applicants will be considered for current vacancies in their
preferred location(s) only.  The duties may include, but are not
limited to:

• Assists Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO) with inspection and
  testing of livestock, poultry, and other avian species on ranches,
  farms, auctions, markets, etc., to detect animal diseases and
  parasites.


• Supervises cleaning and disinfection of vehicles and premises
  that are contaminated by disease organisms or as a precautionary
  measure.


• Assists with conducting primary investigations, issuing warning
  notices, and executing violation notices.


• Contacts owners of diseased or exposed animals or poultry, and
  inquires about first appearance of disease, clinical signs, disease
  progression, and death losses.


• Inspects livestock moving in interstate commerce for visible
  evidence of disease and compliance with Federal and State
  regulations pertaining to interstate and intrastate movements.


• As required, collects data for the National Animal Health
  Monitoring System, trains and/or provides technical supervision to
  lower graded technicians and may serve as a member of an Incident
  Management Team.
  

To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the
closing date of the announcement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/6/7/8 GRADE LEVELS:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent
in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in
the Federal service.  This experience is typically in, or related
to, the work of the position being filled.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience can be found at the
following web address:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/hr/job_opportunit
ies/specialized_experience.shtml

OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a
bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours of
courses in the fields of:  zoology, biology, chemistry, or
agricultural subjects from an accredited college or university.  
Transcripts required if qualifying based on this provision.  

OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-6 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of nine (9) semester hours of related graduate
education obtained from an accredited college or university.  
Qualifying graduate courses include:  agribusiness, agricultural
chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural economics,
agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics, animal
health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products, animal
reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal welfare,
biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle production,
dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine production, farm
management, feeding management, meat science, physiology of
lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine production,
and wildlife and fisheries sciences.  Transcripts required if
qualifying based on this provision.

OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of eighteen (18) semester hours of related
graduate education obtained from an accredited college or
university.  Qualifying graduate courses include:  agribusiness,
agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural
economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics,
animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products,
animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal
welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle
production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine
production, farm management, feeding management, meat science,
physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine
production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences. Transcripts
required if qualifying based on this provision.

OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-8 GRADE LEVEL:

Successful completion of twenty-seven (27) semester hours of related
graduate education obtained from an accredited college or
university.  Qualifying graduate courses include:  agribusiness,
agricultural chemistry, agricultural development, agricultural
economics, agricultural education, animal breeding, animal genetics,
animal health, animal nutrition, animal physiology, animal products,
animal reproduction, animal science, animal toxicology, animal
welfare, biological and agricultural engineering, beef cattle
production, dairy herd management, dairy marketing, equine
production, farm management, feeding management, meat science,
physiology of lactation, poultry science, ruminant nutrition, swine
production, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.  Transcripts
required if qualifying based on this provision.

OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/6/7/8 GRADE
LEVELS:
A combination of specialized experience and education may
be used to meet the qualification requirements.  Transcripts
required if qualifying based on this provision.

***If you are found qualified for this position, you will ONLY be
considered at the grade level(s) for which you apply***

For more information on OPM Qualifications, visit:
OPM Qualification Standards

Special Conditions:

• As a condition of employment, a background investigation may be
  required for this position.


• Subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary
  period.


• The names and numbers of 2 professional and 2 character
  references are required with application package
 

• This position is subject to unscheduled overnight details of
  undetermined lengths in the event of animal health emergencies or
  other conditions requiring immediate response, as required by the
  Agency.  (Extensive periods of time may be designated for overnight
  details.)


• Selectees will be required to attend a Veterinary Services
  orientation session, and at least three formal Veterinary Services
  courses within the span of nine months to one year.  Courses cover
  program diseases, foreign animal disease awareness, trade and
  emerging issues and initiatives. After completion, employees have an
  awareness of the agency's future direction, how the programs,
  initiatives, and issues fit together, and an appreciation for their
  own role in the organization.


• We understand that accepting a position with Veterinary Services
  may require the need for spousal career placement assistance.  To
  help you and your family make a successful career transition,
  Veterinary Services is dedicated to providing information on career
  placement assistance.  Please visit the following web links for more
  information:
  http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs/states.shtml
  http://www.job-hunt.org/state_unemployment_offices.shtml

An automated scoring system will be used to initially rank
applicants based on their answers to the vacancy specific
questions.  Your self-determined rating, narrative responses, and
resume will then be reviewed.  The final rating will be determined
based on all the information provided in the application package.  
Please ensure your resume and narrative responses provide enough
detail to support your answers to the vacancy specific questions.To preview questions please click here.